Donald Trump’s new executive order is terrifying. He’s not even trying to hide his intention to weaponize the military against U.S. citizens. The language of the order is a dog whistle with a megaphone. Trump wants to “unleash high-impact local police forces” of “tenacious law enforcement officers” so that they can “effectively be utilized to prevent crime.” This violent rhetoric empowers violent actions. And unless Trump thinks we’re in Minority Report, he can’t prevent crime…without invoking the Insurrection Act.
Trump has entertained the idea of turning the military on U.S. citizens before:
- to seize voting machines and overturn the 2020 election
- to “dominate the streets” in response to the George Floyd protests
- during his 2024 presidential campaign when he said he would attack “the enemy from within” (also a Hitler quote)
- he is currently waiting to hear from his cabinet if he can invoke the Insurrection Act at the southern border.
There is more worrying language. The order states it will prosecute people who “willfully and unlawfully direct the obstruction of criminal law, including by directly and unlawfully prohibiting law enforcement officers from carrying out duties necessary for public safety and law enforcement,” conveniently right after charging a federal judge with the exact same thing. It’s purposefully vague for broad application.
What else does the order advocate for?
- “expand access and improve the quality of training available to State and local law enforcement” (i.e. remember to turn off the body cam)
- “increase pay and benefits for law enforcement officers” (i.e. bribes)
- “strengthen and expand legal protections for law enforcement officers” (i.e. you won’t get in trouble for doing awful things to people)
- “seek enhanced sentences for crimes against law enforcement officers” (i.e. excuses to add more charges)
- “promote investment in the security and capacity of prisons” (i.e. deportation camps)
- “prioritize prosecution of any applicable violations of Federal criminal law with respect to State and local jurisdictions” for local “officials” (i.e. do what we say or else)
Don’t give the Trump Administration credit for any of these though. They are pretty much all directly adopted from the Nazis.
